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Crime Desk
A violent rapist and serial criminal has been jailed for an "indeterminate period" by the judge for a series of violent and sustained campaign against innocent women in south London. Abdi Ahmed, 21 was deemed by Judge Seed, who presided over the trial, a "dangerous offender" and that he should be detained for an indeterminate period for the protection of the public with a minimum sentence of seven years imprisonment.
Ahmed was also required to comply with the registration and notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Act for life.
During the trial the court heard that Ahmed targeted seven women between January and March 2011.
He travelled mostly on the route 468 bus between Camberwell and the West Norwood area. He would follow women when they alighted from the bus, creating elaborate stories that he was being followed or trying to initiate conversation by asking their name or for a light for his cigarette.
He would then threaten to stab or shoot them unless they handed over property, even walking one victim to a nearby cash point in order to withdraw more cash.
On two occasions Ahmed sexually assaulted victims, attempting to kiss and rub himself against them.
Ahmed was arrested on Sunday 6 March 2024 after robbing a 24 year old woman outside a supermarket on Old Kent Road SE1. She quickly raised the alarm and police officers stopped Ahmed nearby as he matched the description given.
Officers conducted a search at Ahmed’s home address and recovered a jacket and a top matching those worn by the suspect when committing offences on 9 January, 27 February and 4 March 2011. Ahmed had been also been captured on the bus CCTV wearing these items.
Despite this evidence against him he declined to comment in interview. He was later positively identified by his victims in an identification parade.
Ahmed was remanded in custody pending trail for these matters and after pleading not guilty was convicted of all offences on Thursday 26 January 2012.
At the conclusion of the trial Judge Seed commended the bravery of the victims for coming forward and said that they had paid a great service to the women of south London.
Lambeth’s Detective Inspector Barclay, the officer investigating, said: “Ahmed is a dangerous, predatory offender. His conviction and imprisonment results in the removal of the risk he poses to the women of South London.
“His conviction would not have been possible if it was not for the bravery of the victims, in not only attending court, but also in giving evidence in the face of the accused. Their role was instrumental in the removal of this dangerous offender from the streets of London.”
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